2012 NBA Mock Draft-First Round (2/2/12)

The 2012 NBA Draft figures to consist of a deeper, more talented group of prospects that the 2011 class. Team needs HAVE been taken into consideration with this 2012 NBA mock draft and the order is based off the current NBA standings. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report. Check out The Sports Bank’s NFL Mock Draft as well.

(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)

1. Charlotte- Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
Regardless of who gets the #1 pick, Anthony Davis will likely be the selection. The Bobcats are bad, I mean REALLY bad so they could use talent at every position except point guard. Davis and Bismack Biyombo could be the frontcourt of the future in Charlotte.

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2. Detroit- Andre Drummond, C, UConn, 6-10, Fr.
The Pistons would use a big body inside to compliment the skill level of Greg Monroe. Andre Drummond or Thomas Robinson would be options but it is hard to pass up a potential franchise center like Drummond.

3. New Orleans- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
This would be a slam dunk for the Hornets. Robinson fills a need at power forward and is ready to be an impact player right away. Is it too early to declare him the Rookie of the Year favorite for next season?

4. Washington- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
If the Wizards could draft “chemistry” with their first round pick, they should do so. Washington did just draft Chris Singleton who plays the three and still has Rashard Lewis and his horrendous contract (how did they not amnesty him, seriously?) but Barnes is the best player on the board.

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5. Sacramento- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
I love, love, LOVE this pick for the Kings. MK-G is a talented, all-around player and maybe most importantly for Sacramento; a winner. Sacramento has a lot of scorers but lack a true glue guy who can impact the game without needing to score like Kidd-Gilchrist can. (This pick goes to Cleveland if it falls out of the lottery.)

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6. Toronto- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So.
The Raptors could go in a number of directions but a player with his size and physicality in the post would be a nice compliment to Andre Bargnani or Ed Davis.

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7. New Jersey- Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
Assuming the Nets don’t land Dwight Howard via trade, they will lose Deron Williams next off-season and pretty much be starting from scratch. Jones is the best available player and also fills a need at power forward since Kris Humphries only signed a one-year deal.

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8. Utah (from GS via NJ)- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s, 6-8, Fr.
The Jazz have a lot of young talent and will go in one of two directions; a point guard or small forward. I am really high on Harkless (obviously) and he is better than any point guard on the board and provides depth in case C.J. Miles and Josh Howard leave via free agency. (This pick stays with Golden State if it falls in the top 7.)

9. Phoenix- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, So.
The Suns would seriously look at taking a point guard since Steve Nash is a free agent but the ninth pick would be reaching for a guy like Maruis Teague, Tony Wroten, or Kendall Marshall. Jeremy Lamb would give them needed depth on the wing since Jared Dudley and the worthless Josh Childress are the only ones under contract for next season.

10. Houston (from NY)- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
Hasheem Thabeet certainly isn’t the long-term solution and Samuel Dalembert is more of a temporary fix meaning the Rockets could use a center. I am not as high on Meyers Leonard as other mock boards but because of his size and athleticism, he will be a lottery pick.

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11. Cleveland- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing where there are a few options. Terrence Ross is a talented all-around scorer who could become the backcourt mate of the future for Kyrie Irving. I’ll give him the edge over Bradley Beal.

12. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)– Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
It doesn’t seem like Stephen Jackson will be the answer at two guard for the Bucks so taking Bradley Beal makes sense. Plus with Carlos Delfino a free agent after this season, Milwaukee will be looking for some scoring on the wing.

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13. Memphis- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Griz could use improved depth at just about every position so a player like Tony Wroten who is capable of playing either backcourt position would make sense and provide insurance in case O.J. Mayo leaves via free agency.

14. Houston- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, Fr.
In addressing their need for size with their earlier pick, the Rockets should look for a back-up to Kyle Lowry since Goran Dragic is a free agent and Jonny Flynn doesn’t seem to be the answer.

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15. Milwaukee- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, So.
It doesn’t seem like Stephen Jackson will be the answer at two guard for the Bucks and starting small forward Carlos Delfino is a free agent so grabbing a scorer on the wing would be a wise decision.

16. Boston- Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State, 6-11, Jr.
The Celtics could use improved depth at just about every position, but with Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal both free agents, adding a big body is the direst need. Finding a potential Ray Allen replacement would be another option since he too is a free agent.

17. L.A. Lakers- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
The Lakers need depth at just about every position but their point guard play has been especially poor this season. Marshall is a true distributor who would help Kobe Bryant out to his fantastic court vision.

18. Portland- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
With Marcus Camby, Greg Oden, and Craig Smith all free agents this summer, the Blazers could use some depth in their frontcourt. John Henson is a great get here and would give the Blazers a shot blocker to pair with LeMarcus Aldridge.

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19. Orlando- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.This pick all depends on what happens with Dwight Howard this season so for now, I’ll give the Magic the best available player. If Jones showed more consistency, he would easily be a lottery pick.

20. Minnesota (from Utah)- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, Jr.
The one glaring weakness for the Timberwolves this season has been finding a scoring two guard who can consistently knock down outside shots. That is what John Jenkins’ game is all about. (This pick stays with Utah if it falls in the lottery.)

21. San Antonio- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina, 7-0, Sr.
The Spurs need some depth inside and Tyler Zeller would be capable of stepping in right away and being a contributor off the bench.

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22. L.A. Lakers (from DAL)- Mike Moser, SF, UNLV, 6-8, So.
The Matt Barnes/Metta World Peace/Luke Walton/Devin Ebanks quarter isn’t the answer at small forward for the Lakers, maybe Moser could be. (This pick stays with Dallas if it falls in the Top 20.)

23. Denver- Will Barton, SG, Memphis, 6-6, So.
Since the Nuggets have most of their core locked up for next season, they turn to “best available player” mode. A point guard would be another option since Andre Miller is a free agent but there is no floor general worth taking this high.

24. Boston (from LAC via OKC)- William Buford, SG, Ohio State, 6-5, Sr.
The Celtics could use some depth at shooting guard since Ray Allen is a free agent. Even if Allen does return, some young legs on the wing would be beneficial. (This pick stays with the Clippers if it falls in the top 10.)

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25. Indiana- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
The Pacers could use some depth at the three behind Danny Granger and Jeffery Taylor is the type of role player who could immediately be a contributor off the bench.

26. Atlanta- Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, 6-8, Fr.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. Mitchell is an athletic combo forward who has a lot of room for growth.

27. Philadelphia- Tomas Sotaransky, SG, Czech Republic, 6-6, 1991
Another big body would be the ideal fit for the 76ers since Spencer Hawes is a free agent, but with no big on the board worth a first round pick, selecting a foreign player like Sotaransky who can still develop overseas for another year or two would makes sense.

28. Miami- Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt, 6-11, Sr.
The Heat were so desperate for a big man that they brought in Eddy Curry so their hunt continues for size in the middle. Festus Ezeli is a big body in the middle (not as big as Curry thankfully) and could be a decent option off the bench.

29. Oklahoma City- Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Sr.
OKC has most of their players locked up for next season so adding someone like Kris Joseph who has made the most out of being a versatile role player during his career would make a lot of sense. Either that, or drafting a foreign player and stashing him overseas.

30. Chicago- Evan Fournier, SG, France, 6-6, 1992
The Bulls have most of their roster under contract for next season so I think they go the foreign route rather than adding somebody who will ride the pine.

David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.